SIMI VALLEY : Worker Crushed by His Steamroller

A 32-year-old Norwalk man, ending a workday of road repair in Simi Valley, was crushed and killed Friday by his steamroller when he jumped from the runaway machine, authorities said.

Miguel Gonzalez, an employee of Imperial Paving Co. of Whittier, was pronounced dead at the scene about 3:45 p.m., said Deputy Coroner Jim Wingate of the Ventura County coroner’s office. Gonzalez probably died of a chest injury, although an autopsy will be performed today, Wingate said.

Gonzalez and at least one other employee had finished work on Black Canyon Road in the Santa Susana area and were driving their steamrollers up the winding road to their vehicles, said Lt. Tony Ditzhazy of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Ditzhazy said Gonzalez jumped from his steamroller after it had apparently lost power and began rolling backward down the slanting road. He said that Gonzalez was then struck by the steamroller and that a co-worker found the body in the roadway.

The steamroller fell into the bottom of the canyon, Ditzhazy said.